A Trumpeter In The Scots Greys.

Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps "Cape Colony", "Paardeberg", "Driefontein", Johannesburg" & "Belfast".
3983 Pte. S. Waterer, 2nd Dragoons.
Ex Roderick Cassidy Collection.

Sidney Benjamin Waterer was born in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, in 1878. On 24th August 1894, at the age of 16, he enlisted in the army, agreeing to serve twelve years with the Colours. His Attestation Papers give his profession as musician and describe him as being only 5' 2" tall, weighing 94lbs and with fair hair and complexion and blue eyes. The following day, he joined the 2nd Dragoons at Aldershot and was initially on the strength as a "boy". Sidney managed to pass his 2nd Class Certificate of Education in 1895 and the following year he was appointed bandsman and awarded his 1st Good Conduct Pay. However, his army career was by no means a smooth progression; on 15th May 1897, he was deprived of his Good Conduct Pay and, nine days later, was sentenced to 14 days imprisonment by order of the C.O. On his return to duty, he reverted to Private. In January 1898, Sidney was appointed Trumpeter and his Good Conduct Pay was restored but events seemed to repeat themselves as six months later he was back in the cells for seven days and again reverted to Private. In 1899, he again managed to be awarded and be deprived of his Good Conduct Pay in the space of four months; he was clearly a bit of a rogue.

Following the outbreak of the Boer War, Sidney Waterer sailed for South Africa with his Regiment in November 1899. He saw action in Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal, earning entitlement to the Queen's South Africa Medal with five clasps. On 19th September 1900, five men of the Greys, including Pte. Waterer, were wounded in action at Rietvlei. Sidney Waterer's Service Record has no details of his wound but it was enough to end his career as a soldier. He was sent back to England and "having been found medically unfit for further service" was discharged from the army at Edinburgh on 11th April 1901. He had served a total of 6 years and 231 days of which 1 year and 20 days had been overseas. His conduct on discharge was described as "fair" and his intended place of residence was given as 171 Goswell Road, Clerkenwell.